Lining up four cars to drag race to the finish line was a spectacle fans came out to see in droves.

Husbands and wives, fathers, sons and daughters, and diehard NASCAR fans flocked to zMax Dragway to see what four-wide racing was all about.

For those at the track, the comments were almost all enthusiastic and positive.

Lining up four cars to drag race to the finish line was a spectacle fans came out to see in droves.

Husbands and wives, fathers, sons and daughters, and diehard NASCAR fans flocked to zMax Dragway to see what four-wide racing was all about.

For those at the track, the comments were almost all enthusiastic and positive.

LJ Weathers, 7, and Tucker Johnson, 6, were glued to the fence down below the main grandstands as the NHRA Pro categories roared down the lanes at zMax Dragway four at a time. The two boys, ears protected by headphones, were whopping and hollering with each pass.

The two boys were having the time of their lives courtesy of their respective fathers, Jerry Weathers and Michael Johnson.

Mr. Johnson loved the adrenaline rush of the nitro cars. “The Pro Stock cars and bikes are okay, but the nitro cars are a much bigger high,” he said, a grin across his face which clearly transferred to his son.

Mr. Weathers were even more animated, “I like the four wide because there is more horsepower on the track at the same time. I love it and my son loves it because the GROUND SHAKES!

“It's better than NASCAR,” yelled Weathers as another group roared down the track.

Further down the grandstands, Shawn Gaither of Statesville, NC was soaking in every moment. Already an avid drag racing fan, Gaither was “loving it” as four cars roared down the racetrack.

“It's a lot faster,” said Gaithers, who advises his friends and everyone to, “come and see it.”

Down close to the 1000 foot mark, Melvin Jackson, of High Point, NC was a spectator this year specifically to watch the four-wide. Last September, Jackson was racing on the track. This year, having sold his car, he was just taking in the fury of four-wide racing.

“I like it,” said Jackson, a strong conviction in his voice. “I never thought this would ever happen. I love it.”

As a competitor as well, the car he sold ran in Comp Eliminator, Jackson waffled on weather four-wide would replace two-wide in his heart.

“I don't know. I still like the heads-up stuff. I think it puts more pressure on the drivers when they have three other guys to race against. If they are trying to concentrate on the other three it puts more pressure on them.”

Ask what message he would send to other drag racing fans, Jackson never hesitated saying, “They have got to see four-wide. If you love two-wide you have got to see four-wide.”

Jeff and Linda Lecronier, Pasadena MD, brought their daughter Jessica, 22, and long time friend Rod Wilson and his date Donna, because they were determined not to miss such a historic event. They even sold off their tickets to the NASCAR race in Martinsville, just a couple hundred miles north.

Wilson, from Baltimore, who remembers attending drag racing as a teenager, loved being back at an NHRA event.

“Four-wide,” said Wilson when asked just why he came to the event. “I love it. I loved it. I wish they all went four-wide.”

Wilson has already made up his mind – he'll be back next year.

Lecronier, who works for UPS, sold off his coveted NASCAR tickets for four-wide.

“Actually, (Martinsville Speedway) is my favorite racetrack. It's where I have my best seats. But, the chance of watching them go four-wide really intrigued me. I loved it!”

Both Wilson and Lecronier were seated in the east grandstands and they hope next year the track has a second jumbotron near the scoreboards. The lone jumbotron was positioned on the east side and when fans stood in the east grandstands it was difficult to see the replays.

Lecronier also wanted to thank his boss, Norm, for letting him off on Monday so he could see the final rounds.

They would also like to see all classes run four wide, just to keep the show going and the excitement high.

Jessica Lecronier, a former pastry chef at the Speedway Club, located overlooking Charlotte Motor Speedway, got a very special treat. She was able to meet and chat with several members of the Force family courtesy of Elon Warner, Force publicist.

“I thought that the four-wide was different from what I expected,” said Lecronier. “It was far more intense.”

The tour of the Force pits by Werner opened up Jessica's eyes to the sport.

“When we got to meet John Force and the Force family, we all understand drag racing far more now.”

Lecronier, whose boyfriend David Rosage couldn't make the trip, said she was going to make sure he got to a drag race in the very near future.

Away from the track the comments about four-wide racing were not nearly as kind. The Facebook page of Attitude’s Competitionplus.com offered a mixed bag of commentary.

Joe Sherwood wrote, “Complete Waste of time! Works great for exhibitions, but for racing it's a waste of Money! Bruton's gonna ruin his tracks!

Kenny Wigington stated, “I don’t care for it. It may have been different or hopefully better, in person.

Charlie Lowe was undecided saying, “Not quite sure what to make of it. YET! Keep in mind Bruton Smith has the bank to make things happen. I do not think The NHRA will tell him no more. Not even in Vegas.”

And finally, Steve Gonzales appears to have hit the nail on the head.

“I think it's one of those things that you only get the full effect being there in person, as far as on tv, I really don’t care for it.”

The television production, like the event is a work in progress. Improve the production and the excitement of being there in person might transfer to those watching on television.